Were you caught a bit off guard when the Wisconsin football team lost a key playmaker on offense to the transfer portal? That'd be running back Tawee Walker, who due to the new JUCO rules, has one extra year of eligibility. His final college season won't be played in Madison, though.
Not long ago, Walker announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, which is a bit of a blow for the Badgers offense moving forward. With Walker not in the team's plans for 2025, that means someone is going to have to deliver and be a stud for the ground game. All eyes will be on 2024 signee Darrion Dupree to be the guy.
Wisconsin RB Darrion Dupree could be in for a big 2025 with Tawee Walker gone
Walker was the No.1 rusher for the Badgers in 2024, posting 864 yards and 10 touchdowns. Dupree was No. 2 on the team, finishing with 317 yards and one score. Dupree tallied 79 carries on the year, but that number is going to explode next campaign.
Don't forget that fellow '24 signee Dilin Jones is also on campus, ready to make a name for himself too. Both Jones and Dupree were 4-star playmakers coming out of high school, holding loads of offers. Both standouts will have an opportunity to step up for Luke Fickell and new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
Last season, Jones carried the ball 16 times for 88 yards. He too will get more work next fall, but our expectation is that Dupree is going to be the No. 1 option for the offense with the rushing attack. There are sure to be some ups and downs for him in Year 1 as the starter - assuming he wins the job - but the potential is there for him to have a special season. He'll have to play beyond his years in '25, but Fickell should trust that the youngster will be able to deliver for him.